System and method of determining the health and gender of a chick

ABSTRACT

A first system for determining the relative health of a chick having a first moving platform to support a chick, a first image capture device, a first database having a library of digital images relating to healthy and unhealthy chicks and a computer processor in communication with the image capture device and database. A second system for determining the gender of a chick in eludes a second moving platform, a second image capture device, stimuli directed at the chick to cause the chick to open its wings. The second system also includes a second database having wing patterns of male and female chicks of the breed of the chick on the second moving platform and a second computer processor in communication with the second image capture device and the second database.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/254737, filed Nov. 13, 2015, and U.S provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/349,981 filed Jun. 14, 2016. The contentsof each are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD

The embodiments described herein are directed to systems and methods fordetecting the relative health and gender of a day old chick. With regardto unhealthy chicks, they are separated from the flock once any illnessor injury is detected. With regard to gender determination, oncedetected, the chicks are separated by gender.

BACKGROUND

There are essentially three types of poultry that are processed intoday's mass production environment: broilers, breeders and layers. Thebroilers are grown and slaughtered at maturity for human consumption.Breeders are raised to breed broilers or layers, and layers are raisedto lay eggs for human and animal consumption. In each case, as chickshatch, they are quickly processed and moved to the next stage of theirlife. Day old chicks are vulnerable to disease and infection. Due to thecrowded conditions in which chicks hatch and live, any chick born withtin abnormality or disease may be in a position to infect a multitude ofother chicks in the surrounding area. Thus it is critical to the healthof the flock to remove any chick having a disease or malformation thatcould cause illness to other chicks. Moreover, it is only humane toremove any seriously ill chicks or disabled chicks so that they can behumanely euthanized and disposed of before causing further injury tothemselves.

Day old broiler chicks are processed quickly in hatcheries and areswiftly transported to “Growth Out Farms” where they will live and growto desire weight for consumption. There are two common maladies thatafflict some chicks. The first is a failure of the abdominal wall toclose after absorption of the yolk sac. In such a case, the chickhatches with an open abdominal cavity. This condition is typicallyterminal. If left undetected for any length of time, the open wound willattract unwanted bacteria and infection to the area and ultimately thedeath of the chick.

The second affliction is a malformed or disabled leg or foot ormalformed beak or eye. Chicks with malformed legs and feet are unable towithstand the rigors of a mass farming environment, get adequate feed,and water in “Growth Out Farm” and consequently never grow as well astheir healthy counterparts. Thus, they need to be removed as quickly aspossible.

Thus, there is a need to quickly and efficiently inspect day old chicksto determine whether or not they are sufficiently healthy to withstandthe rigors of the poultry production environment. In addition, there isa need to quickly and efficiently detect any physical abnormalities inday old chicks so that those with such abnormalities may be separatedfrom the otherwise healthy flock.

Early gender determination of a chick is also important in poultryproduction to ensure that the sexes are separated out as soon aspossible to ensure efficient investment of appropriate resources. Layermales have no value and similarly a limited number of breeder males arenecessary. In the case of the broilers, male broilers are lessdesirable. The Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), or cost of feed per weightgained is the main driver for the lack of favorability of broiler males.

Determining the gender of a day old chick has been a common practice inthe poultry industry since the early 1900's. Manual vent and feathersexing have been used over the years by the industry to separate maleand female chicks. Both methods are considered to be unfriendly tochicks based on the manual handling of the chicks, and increase theseven-day mortality of sexed chicks.

It is known that the gender of a day old chick can be determined by thechick's wing feathers. The feather pattern and length at the bend in thewing vary between male and female day old chicks. However, the presentmethod of manually causing the chick's wings to spread increases thechick's chances for disease and injury. Moreover, the manualmethodologies are labor intensive and are likely to cause repetitiveinjuries to the workers over time. Thus, there is a need to quickly andautomatically inspect day old chicks to determine their sex andsubsequently separate them by sex.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a system having a device forpositioning a chick on a moving platform, and an image capturing deviceto capture at least one electronic image of the chick on the movingplatform. The system further includes a database containing electronicimages of healthy and unhealthy chicks within the chick's breed, and animage processor in communication with the image capture device and thedatabase. When the captured image of the click is sent to the imageprocessor, it is compared to the database of chick images and if theimage of the chick deviates from the images of healthy chicks in thedatabase or matched with images of unhealthy chicks or presents anyanomalies, the chick is separated from the flock.

The positioning device may be a conveyor. The image taken of the chickmay be a frontal image. The image taken of the chick may be of itstorso. The image taken of the chick may be of its legs, face and feet.

The embodiments herein described further include a method fordetermining the health of a day old chick including the steps ofpositioning a chick on a moving platform and capturing at least oneelectronic image of the chick on the moving platform. The method alsoincludes providing a database containing electronic images of healthychicks within the chick's breed and providing an image processor incommunication with the image capture device and the database. The methodfurther includes comparing the captured image with the electronic imagesin the database and determining if the captured image deviates fromthose in the database.

The embodiments described herein further include a system having adevice for causing a chick to spread its wings, and an image capturingdevice to capture at least one electronic image of the chick's wings asthey are spread. The system further includes a database containingelectronic images of male and female wing patterns within the chick'sbreed, and an image processor in communication with the image capturedevice and the database. When the captured image of the chick's wings issent to the image processor, it is compared lo the database of chickwing patterns for the breed to determine the gender of the chick.

The device for causing a chick to spread its wings is preferably anangled conveyor or hinged platform. The image capture device may be adigital camera. The image taken of the chick may be a front view image.

The embodiments herein also describe a method for determining the genderof a chick including the steps of providing a moving platform to supporta chick, introducing at least one stimuli to cause the chick to spreadits wings and capturing at least one image of the chick as it spreadsits wings. The method further includes providing a database having alibrary of digital images therein and providing a computer processor incommunication with the image capture device and the database. After thechick spreads its wings, an image is taken of the wings. The image ofthe chick's wing is compared to the library of digital images todetermine the gender of the chick.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the first angled conveyor ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side schematic view of a portion of the firstembodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is diagrammatic representation of the actuator of the firstembodiment in both extended and retracted positions;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the second angled conveyor ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the communication of variouselements of the first embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a side schematic view of the first embodiment in FIG. 6.

The embodiments herein described are not intended to be limiting. It isintended that the embodiments shall cover all alternatives,modifications, and equivalents as defined herein.

DESCRIPTION

The embodiments herein focus on a system and method for determining therelative health and gender of a chick. The first embodiment 10, shown inFIG. 1 includes a first conveyor 12 that moves the chicks 14 in thehatchery. It should be appreciated that the chicks 14 have beenpreviously separated by other conveyors and dividers and are nowtravelling along the first conveyor 12 in single file fashion. The firstconveyor 12 has a presence sensor 16 to sense the presence of a chick 14on the first conveyor. One or more cameras 18 are located along thepathway of the first conveyor 12. It is preferred that the cameras 18 belocated at the end of the conveyor level with the body of the chick 14so as to be able to focus on the chick s abdomen, legs and feet. Inaddition, cameras 18 may be mounted overhead the first conveyor 12 to beable to focus on the chick but not interfere with the chick's travelalong the first conveyor. The term conveyor is understood to mean anytype of handling mechanism capable of transporting an object, in thiscase an animal, from a first location to a second location. The termconveyor shall include but not be limited to conveyor belts, movingplatforms and the like.

The cameras 18 are preferably video cameras that can take live videofootage of each chick 14 as it travels along the first conveyor 12. Thecameras 18 are in communication with master system controller 44 and acomputer processor 32 (FIG. 7). The computer processor 32 includes adatabase of images of healthy and unhealthy chicks 14. The computerprocessor 32 is designed to receive and process the images from thecameras 18 and determine whether or not the chick images show any signsof abnormalities or irregularities that warrant further attention. Thedetails of this process will be discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 2, an angled conveyor 20 is positioned adjacent to andbelow the first conveyor 12. The first angled conveyor 20 is oriented atan angle θ to the horizon.

The first angled conveyor 20 has a near end 22 and a far end 24. Theangled conveyor 20 has a frame 26 to support the angled conveyor (FIG.4). The frame 26 of the angled conveyor 20 is rotatably connected at thenear end 22 to a fixed structure such as the frame structure of theoverall system. The frame 26 supports a pair of rails 28 that preventthe chick from falling off of the angled conveyor 20.

An actuator 30, shown in FIGS. 3-5. is fixedly connected to the frame 26of the angled conveyor 20 and also to a support structure such as theframe structure of the overall system. The actuator 30 is positionednormally to support the angled conveyor 20 in an extended position. Whenactivated, the actuator 30 retracts causing the frame 26 of the angledconveyor 20 to pivot about its near card 22 and swing the far end 24further downward increasing the angle θ.The actuator 30 is incommunication with the computer processor 32 that controls the actuatorremotely.

Renaming to FIG. 2, a third conveyor 34 is loaned below angled conveyor20 and is positioned to receive chicks 14 therefrom when the angledconveyor is in its extended position. A fourth conveyor 36 is locatedfurther below the angled conveyor 20 and is oriented perpendicularly tothe angled conveyor 20, when contracted. The fourth conveyor 36 receiveschicks 14 from the angled conveyor 20 when it is retracted by theactuator 30, which will be discussed in more detail below.

A second angled conveyor 38, shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, is locatedimmediately below the third convey or 34 to receive chicks 14 therefrom.A second presence sensor 40 is located at the end of the third conveyor34. The second presence sensor 40 senses the presence of a chick 14along the pathway of the second angled conveyor 38.

Cameras 18 are positioned at the end of the third convey or 34 and atone or more points along the pathway of the second angled conveyor 38(FIG. 6). The cameras 18 are positioned to focus on the wing pattern ofthe chicks 14 as they pass.

Fans 42 are located along the pathway of second angled conveyor 38 (FIG.6). The fans 42 are positioned so as to direct air upwards as the chick14 passes. Fan activation is controlled by the master control system 44.The master control system is in communication with the computerprocessor 32 (FIG. 7).

A vibrating mechanism 46, shown in FIG. 6 is fixed to the second angledconveyor 38. During use, the vibrating mechanism 46 causes the secondangled conveyor 38 to vibrate. The vibrating mechanism 46 is incommunication with the master control system 44. A strobe light 47 ispositioned towards the end and above the pathway of the conveyor 38. Thestrobe light 47 is also in communication with the master controller 44.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fifth conveyor 48 is located at the end of thesecond angled conveyor 38. The fifth conveyor 48 receives those chicks14 coming off of the second angled conveyor 38. A sixth conveyor 50 ispositioned directly below and perpendicular to the second angledconveyor 38. The sixth conveyor 50 receives those chicks 14 who aremoved off of the second angled conveyor 38 when it is in its retractedposition. This process will be explained in more detail below.

The computer processor 32 includes a database having a library ofdigital images of the wing patterns of chicks of a variety of chickenbreed stored therein. The computer processor 32 (FIG. 7) is also incommunication with the second presence sensor 40, cameras 18, andactuator 30 (FIG. 6) via the master control system 44. Moreover, thecomputer processor 32 is also in communication with a master controlsystem 44 which controls the speed of the conveyors and controls theoverall function of operation. The master control system 44 is inelectronic communication with the cameras 18, fans 42 and vibratingmechanism 46 (FIG. 6) such that the start and stop of each of theaforementioned may be controlled by the master control system. Adiagrammatic representation of the communication between theaforementioned elements is shown in FIG. 7.

In use, after the chicks 14 hatch, they are initially processed andeventually moved onto the first conveyor 12. It should be noted thatthere may be a series of other conveyors—and dividers and the like (notshown) that may be used to move the newly hatched chick 14 to tireconveyor 12. However, such equipment and logistics are not discussedherein.

As the chick 14 travels along the first conveyor 12, first presencesensor 16 detects the presence of a chick travelling along the firstconveyor 12 (FIG. 2). The presence sensor 16 communicates with thecomputer processor 32 which activates the cameras 18 positioned at theend of and above the pathway of the first conveyor 12 and along theangled conveyor 20 (FIG. 3). The cameras 18 takes at least one image ofthe chick. Preferably the camera 18 is able to take video feed of thechick's abdomen, legs, facial features and feet.

The image or images are electronically communicated to the computerprocessor 32 (FIG. 7). The computer processor 32 processes the imagesand compares them with those images in its database of healthy andunhealthy chicks of the same breed. In comparing the camera images withthe digital image library, the computer processor 32 is able to detectany abnormalities or deviations in the images taken from standard imagesin the database. If there is a deviation detected in the image taken,the computer processor 32 registers such a deviation as an abnormalityor affliction that needs closer attention.

The computer processor thus communicates its finding with the mastercontrol system 44 (FIG. 4), which activates the actuator 30. This causesthe near end 22 of the first angled conveyor 20 to pivot and the far end24 to swing downwardly increasing the angle θ. At a certain angle θ, thechick 14 cannot remain on the first angled conveyor and is dropped ontothe fourth conveyor 36 (FIG. 2) for further manual inspection. If thechick is unhealthy, it w ill be separated from the otherwise healthyflock. If the chick is, in fact, healthy, it will be returned to theflock for farther processing.

Once the chick has been transferred to the fourth conveyor 36, theactuator 30 (FIG. 5) is reversed and causes the first angled conveyor 20to return to its extended position. This results in the far end 24 ofthe first angled conveyor 20 swinging upwardly as the near end 22 pivotsabout itself and the angle θ declines. Once the actuator has returnedthe first angled conveyor 20 to its original position, it is ready toreceive another chick 14. In this manner, only healthy chicks arepermitted to advance to the third conveyor 34.

Once a healthy chick has progressed to the third conveyor 34, the secondpresence sensor 40 (FIG. 6) detects its presence on the third conveyor34. The second presence sensor 40 communicates with the computerprocessor 32 and master control system 44 (FIG. 7) to activate thecameras 18, fans 42, strobe light 47 and vibrating mechanism 46 adjacentto the second angled conveyor 38.

At the end of travel along the third conveyor 34, the chick moves ontothe second angled conveyor 38. At this time, the chick encounters thesecond angled conveyor 38 with air blowing upwardly from its feettowards its face and head created by the fans 42. In addition, thesurface of the second angled conveyor 38 is vibrating as a result of theactivation of the vibrating mechanism 46. The upwardly blowing air andvibrating surface cause the chick to feel unbalanced. In an effort toregain its balance, the chick begins to lift and flap its wings. As itdoes the cameras 18 take images of the opened wing pattern. The flashingof the strobe light 47 is also expected to have a similar stimuli effecton the chick.

The images are communicated with the computer processor 32 (FIG. 7)which processes the images and compares them to images of male andfemale wing patterns within its database for chicks of that breed. Incomparing the images, the computer can determine the gender of the chickat issue. If the computer processor 32 determines the chick to be afemale, the chick is allowed to proceed to the fifth conveyor 48 whereit is crated and transferred to a growing farm. If the chick isdetermined to be a male, the computer processor 32 activates theactuator 30 which retracts and causes the second angled convey or 38 topivot and the far end 20 to swing downwardly increasing the angle θ. Ata certain angle θ, the chick 14 cannot remain thereon and is droppedonto an alternate conveyor 50 for further processing. Chicks will beseparated by sex and processed separately.

Once the male chick 14 has been transferred to an alternate platform,the master control system 44 deactivates the actuator 30 (FIG. 6). Thiscauses the second angled conveyor 38 to return to its extended position.This results in the far end 20 of the second angled conveyor 38 swingingupwardly as the near end 18 pivots about itself and the angle θdeclines. Once the actuator 30 has returned the second angled conveyor38 to its original position, it is ready to receive another chick.

Thus it is apparent that the embodiments herein provided fully satisfythe objects, aims and advantages set forth above. It is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing descriptionAccordingly it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining the sex of a chickcomprising: an angled platform; an image capture device positionedproximate to the angled platform to capture at least one image of thechick as it passes on the angled platform; a computer processor incommunication with the image capture device, the computer processorcapable of processing the at least one image; and moving means formoving a chick from the angled platform to one of two locations, themoving means in communication with the computer processor.
 2. The systemof claim 1 wherein the angled platform is a conveyor belt.
 3. The systemof claim 1 wherein angled platform has a first end and a second end andthe chicks enter the angled platform at the first end, the first endbeing elevated relative to the second end.
 4. The system of claim 3wherein the angle of the angled platform relative to the horizon inbetween 1 and 90 degrees.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the imagecapture device is a camera.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the movingmeans is the angled platform capable of moving from a first angle to asecond angle.